List of the longest-running TV talk shows in US history. These TV chat series have more episodes than any others in American television. Some of the shows ran and have since gone off the air or been canceled, while others remain ongoing and are still being produced. Typically, these shows were collected into "seasons" of television, each with a pre-set amount of episodes. Sometimes, these seasons were broken up, in some cases with years or even decades between production of the series, while still being considered the run of a single TV show. (Spin-offs and other shows that were reinvented and debuted as new series are not considered.) This list contains all the longest-running talk shows in US broadcasting history.
The concept of a "talk show" can mean a lot of different things. It's most commonly associated in the US with the late-night variety show, particularly "The Tonight Show" or the "Late Show with David Letterman." However, the concept - sometimes also referred to as a "chat show" - also encompasses daytime TV talk like the offerings from Oprah Winfrey or Ellen DeGeneres, or even more news-oriented panel discussion formats like "The View" and "Larry King Live." Really, any show with hosts and rotating guests conversing can be considered a talk show, even extending the definition to the "tabloid talk show" made famous by Jerry Springer, or the radio-show-on-television format popularized by Howard Stern.
Check out more lists like the longest running TV sitcoms, the most popular sitcoms in TV history and the worst TV shows that need to stop NOW.Larry King Live
Larry King, Ryan SeacrestPremiered: 1985
Larry King Live is an American talk show that was hosted by Larry King on CNN from 1985 to... more on Wikipedia25 Seasons. 6120 Episodes.
The Oprah Winfrey Show
Oprah Winfrey, Nate BerkusPremiered: 1986
25 Seasons. 4561 Episodes.The Oprah Winfrey Show, often referred to simply as Oprah, is an American syndicated talk show... more on WikipediaThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson, Ed McMahonPremiered: 1962
4531 Episodes.The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The... more on Wikipedia
Late Show with David Letterman
David Letterman, Paul ShafferPremiered: 2011
Late Show is an American late-night television talk and variety show on CBS. Late Show with... more on Wikipedia27 Seasons. 4261 Episodes.
The Jerry Springer Show
Jerry Springer, Peter A KellyPremiered: 2011
The Jerry Springer Show, also known as Jerry Springer, or just Springer, is an American... more on Wikipedia27 Seasons. 3891+ Episodes.
The View
Lisa Ling, Meredith VieiraPremiered: 1997
The View is an American talk show and entertainment/infotainment program that has aired on ABC... more on Wikipedia22 Seasons. 4000 Episodes. Currently in production
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Jay Leno, Kevin EubanksPremiered: 1992
3775 Episodes.The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that... more on WikipediaThe Daily Show
Jon Stewart, Trevor NoahPremiered: 1996
The Daily Show (Comedy Central, 1999) is an American late-night talk and news satire... more on Wikipedia25 Seasons. 3268 Episodes. Currently in production.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Ellen DeGeneres, Stephen BossPremiered: 2003
The Ellen DeGeneres Show is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen... more on Wikipedia16 Seasons. 3000 Episodes. Currently in production
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien, Andy RichterPremiered: 1993
2725 Episodes.Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that... more on WikipediaJimmy Kimmel Live!
Jimmy Kimmel, Cleto Escobedo IIIPremiered: 2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by James "Jimmy"... more on Wikipedia17 Seasons. 2655 Episodes. Currently in production.
The Howard Stern Show
Howard Stern, Robin QuiversPremiered: 1990
2278 Episodes.The Howard Stern Show was an American late-night television variety show, hosted by radio... more on WikipediaThe Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson, Shadoe StevensPremiered: 2005
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson is an American late-night talk show hosted by Scottish... more on Wikipedia9 Seasons. 2058 Episodes.
Dr. Phil
Jay McGrawPremiered: 2002
Dr. Phil is a talk show hosted by Phil McGraw. After McGraw's success with his segments on The... more on Wikipedia17 Seasons. 2191 Episodes. Currently in production.
The Talk
Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl UnderwoodPremiered: 2010
The Talk is a talk show created by actress Sara Gilbert, who also serves as the executive... more on Wikipedia9 Seasons. 1385 Episodes. Currently in production.
Conan
Conan O'Brien, Ginnifer GoodwinPremiered: 2010
Conan is a late-night talk show airing each Monday through Thursday on TBS in the United... more on Wikipedia9 Seasons. 1271 Episodes. Currently in production.
Late Night with David Letterman
David Letterman, Paul ShafferPremiered: 1982
1819 Episodes.Late Night with David Letterman is a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC that was... more on WikipediaThe Rosie O'Donnell Show
Vince Vaughn, Claire ForlaniPremiered: 1996
1193 Episodes.The Rosie O'Donnell Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted and produced by... more on WikipediaThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon, The RootsPremiered: 2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy... more on Wikipedia6 Seasons. 1077 Episodes. Currently in production.
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon, The RootsPremiered: 2009
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show that aired weeknights at... more on Wikipedia5 Seasons. 969 Episodes.
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers, The 8G Band with Fred ArmisenPremiered: 2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers is an American late-night talk show that airs at 12:37 am... more on Wikipedia6 Seasons. 845 Episodes. Currently in production
The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder
Tom Snyder, Kate MulgrewPremiered: 1995
The Late Late Show is an American late-night television talk and variety show on CBS. It first... more on Wikipedia4 Seasons. 777 Episodes.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert, Jonathan BatistePremiered: 2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS, 2015) is an American late-night talk show hosted by... more on Wikipedia4 Seasons. 756 Episodes. Currently in production.
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Craig Kilborn, Kip MadsenPremiered: 1999
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn is a comedy TV program.5 Seasons. 1190 Episodes.
The Late Late Show with James Corden
James Corden, Reggie WattsPremiered: 2015
The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS, 2015) is an American late-night talk show hosted by... more on Wikipedia4 Seasons. 641 Episodes. Currently in production.
